'Fighter': Anil Kapoor Breaks Down in Tears as Hrithik Roshan Praises Him; Siddharth Anand Addresses Comparisons to 'Top Gun' with his Aerial-action Entertainer Directorial - Read on for More!

'Fighter' stands as one of the most anticipated films of the year, marking the powerful cinematic debut of 2024. Directed by the prolific Siddharth Anand, renowned for delivering consecutive blockbusters, this movie promises to surpass even his previous successes. The uniqueness of 'Fighter' lies not only in its stellar cast, featuring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor but also in its fresh and compelling pairing of Hrithik and Deepika, coupled with an intriguing plot that takes the audience to the skies in India's first-ever aerial action entertainer.

During the movie trailer launch, Deepika's absence sparked rumours of a rift with the director. However, on December 23rd, she quashed the speculations by joining her 'Fighter' team. Addressing comparisons of the Indian aerial actioner with 'Top Gun,' filmmaker Siddharth expressed gratitude but emphasized its unique Desi flavour.

“This is a promotional strategy..,” Siddharth on Deepu being missing in the Trailer Launch

Talking about Deepu Siddharth Anand said, “This is a promotional strategy that we have taken. You will start seeing Deepika from tomorrow everywhere. People put a lot of conjectures into things. Deepika was supposed to come for the trailer launch, but she was under the weather. And now she is going to be everywhere; our strategy is such.” 

He further continued, “Deepika and Hrithik's pair is one of the major highlights. And it's a huge excitement for me as a filmmaker to see both of them (together). So, I can imagine that even the audience is waiting for (her). You will start seeing them closer to the release. Also, we didn't want too much of Hrithik and Deepika before the release. We wanted people to enjoy them on the big screen. We didn't want that saturation.” 

ALSO READ: Sky-High Salaries Soar as 'Fighter' Cast Takes Flight: A Closer Look at Remuneration for Bollywood's Aerial Action Extravaganza

‘Fighter’ Comparision with ‘Top Gun’

Additionally, his directorial being compared with Top Gun, he said, “I think it is inevitable. As a filmmaker, you have to be prepared that if you make a film on planes they will call it Top Gun because they have no reference point so they believe that we are not so creative and that we will do things that are rip-off. We need to start looking at our films with a little bit more respect and not constantly believe that things are being ripped off. People do get inspired, even in the West, by content that is created in the East.”

Siddharth also spoke in detail about the comparisons and said that he felt many films in the West were also similar to the films he made in the past. "I have many instances where… lately also where I did some sequences and those sequences were similar to a film that came out later, a very very big franchise film in the West. I am not saying they copied us. There's no way they would copy us, so let's be real. There are only that many things you can do in action and there will be overlaps. You just got to do it with an X factor that makes it different. The Top Gun comparisons will be beaten to dust in the first 5 minutes," he said.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Members of Indian Air Force Legendary Band Pays Tribute to Siddharth Anand's 'Fighter' with Musical Symphony!

At their first promotional event together, lead pair Hrithik and Deepika praised each other's chemistry and shared insights. Hrithik commended Deepika's technical prowess, acknowledging his own areas for improvement. Deepika highlighted Hrithik's relentless work ethic, admiring his dedication to projects.

Hrithik on Deepika's 'best chemistry with him' statement: Will have to watch...

In the debut episode of Koffee with Karan Season 8, where Deepika Padukone appeared with her husband Ranveer Singh – Deepika intriguingly asserted that her best on-screen chemistry is with Hrithik Roshan, her co-star in the upcoming film 'Fighter.' Informed of Deepika's previous statement during the show, Hrithik responded with a wide grin, teasing, "You'll have to watch the film, judge for yourself, and then let us know." When pressed to share his perspective on Deepika's claim about their exceptional chemistry, Hrithik replied, "I have said this repeatedly, and I will say it again because it does not tire me. Chemistry works when two actors are coming in as actors, and bringing realism to the dialogues. Because sometimes they can sound like dialogues. When I work with Deepika, her interpretation and expressions are so real that it pushes me to also be real. So the scenes between Patty and Minni, that is going to create the chemistry you are talking about."

Anil Kapoor, reminiscing about Hrithik's journey from his assistant director to co-star, praised Hrithik's remarkable growth. Dismissing rumours of 'Fighter' being a Top Gun replica, Kapoor emphasized its Indian essence, showering praise on Hrithik, declaring him a quintessential part of the film. 

Anil Kapoor gets Emotional

In a touching tribute, Hrithik also expressed his deep honour at sharing the screen with the veteran superstar Anil Kapoor. From assisting Anil in the past to now being his co-actor, Hrithik reminisced about growing up watching Anil on set, considering him a significant influence. Anil, according to Hrithik, played a pivotal role in shaping him into the dedicated and involved actor he is today.

Reflecting on a poignant moment on the set of 'Fighter,' Hrithik shared how watching Anil's scene made him realize the immense effort invested. He acknowledged Anil's ability to bring a unique emotional depth to the scene, setting a high standard for the entire film. Hrithik credited Anil Kapoor for adding a profound impact to 'Fighter' through his exceptional performance. "When I gave that compliment to him as to how well he's done the scene and his effort can be seen, his eyes welled up. When he got to hear that he had done well, he had tears in his eyes. This is after four decades of doing what he does and still to have the power to give so much into a scene. That day I again turned into an assistant and I just watched him and learnt." And listening to his emotional scenario, Anil Kapoor fall into tears at that moment too.

Prior to its highly anticipated release, the much-awaited film 'Fighter,' starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, appears to have faced a setback with a reported ban in the Gulf nations. Renowned producer and film expert Girish Johar, along with trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai, revealed that the movie has been disallowed from screening in all Gulf countries, with the exception of the UAE at the moment. The specific reasons behind the ban have not been disclosed at this time. ALSO READ: The First Special Screening Of 'Fighter' To Be Held For IAF Officers In Delhi, To Whom The Film Is Dedicated!

Directed by Siddharth Anand, 'Fighter' is not just about the extravagant salaries but also promises a compelling storyline. The film follows a team of top IAF aviators facing imminent danger and pays homage to real-life events, including the 2019 Pulwama attack, the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and the 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes.

Shot across diverse locations such as Assam, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, and Mumbai, the film aims to capture the essence of India's first-ever aerial action entertainer. As the release date coincides with the 2024 Republic Day weekend, 'Fighter' is poised to soar high at the box office.